Zhu Su paused for a moment.
"Ruina... how many years have we got married?"
"Around twenty one years, Your Highness..."
"Twenty one years?... Yes... I remember. I was supposed to understand nothing at that time. I only knew that I would be married to General Feng's daughter, but I didn't know the real meaning of marriage. I passed through the wedding ceremony with such a playful and naughty mind..."
"Same with me. At that time I was suddenly informed that I would be married to a prince. I wondered overnight, what kind of prince will I marry? Will I become a Wang Fei and live in a magnificent palace filled with beautiful flowers and a large lake? I was so childish, I thought that getting married was a fun game."
"Yes. I remember, when you first arrived at the palace, you were walking alone, looking at flowers and lake. You like flowers so much. Do you know, Ruina? When I was in Yunnan ten years ago, I found a strange but very beautiful flower called Manduoluohua. I wanted to give it to you, but Physician Li forbade me. Because Manduoluohua is a poisonous flower. It can make people lose their consciousness. That's why I didn't give it to you."
"You are also very fond of plants, aren't you? And you really like medicine. Your dream is to help people, to get them free from illness."
"Then it means, our personality is almost compatible, isn't it?..."
Zhu Su laughed. Feng Ruina followed him.
"There is a saying which states, two people can get married because they are more or less similar. If there is wide disparity between them then they will not fit each other, their marriage will become disharmonious. We can get married for so long, this is certainly due to our similarity. You like calm and peace, you are modest, and so am I. Not just the hobby, our personality is also more or less the same."
"You're right. I really dislike frenzied parties and its lots of wine. At first I was worried, since party and wine are mandatory for male aristocrats. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to please you. But thankfully, you don't like party, either, you prefer calmer atmosphere."
"I also worry, I am neither manly nor gallant, I don't have such kind of male nature that women usually like. I am taciturn, I'm not loquacious and clumsy in seducing, and socialize more with books. I always worry that you will despise me... But, your words just now, have made me so relieved."
"You are a marvelous man in my eyes. While the common princes and nobles openly show their great desires to control and dominate, you don't. You are gracious, and always treat me with a gentle manner, unlike other princes who like to oppress and even beat their wives violently just because they feel powerful. To me, you are the most perfect man in the world, always and forever."
Feng Ruina's praise, all of a sudden, evoked a butterfly dance on Zhu Su's stomach. He said hoarsely, "Ruina, you are truly the most beautiful gift in my life. I change my mind. Even if First Brother wanted to take you away from me, I would fight him to death. I would never give you up to anyone! Never!"
"I also... never want to marry someone other than you. In the afterlife, I will ask King Yama * to permit me to be your life companion in the next reincarnation."
Feng Ruina's words revived the anxiety inside Zhu Su's mind. "Don't talk about next reincarnation, Ruina. It's still a long time!"
"We'll never know, Your Highness. When will we die... we will never know... And besides... recently I often see my father near to me... as if he is waiting to pick me up..."
"No, no! I know! You will live a long life, you and I will grow old in a happy life... and we won't end here!"
It was a silence that answered Zhu Su after that. Feng Ruina chose to remain silent. Zhu Su himself knew, he sounded like a dream trader. Now he was dissimilar with the time he was imprisoned by Xie Wang - this time, his entire body was filled with despair. His hope, his dream... once it rose, would quickly be blown out, extinct. Of course, including the dream of getting out of here... safely.
Could they reach that dream?
Could he, together with Feng Ruina, be able to be hand in hand under the sun like before?
...
* King Yama = God of Death in Buddhism